Scott Wykoff's Blog

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Game Day Dilemma

There was a very unique dynamic to the rare Ravens/Colts match-up here in Baltimore.

Picture Ravens fans wearing jerseys of their opponents while at a Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium.

Well that was the case on the second Sunday in December 2011. Ravens fans who were rooting for their Ravens, while at the same time honoring memories of football past here in Baltimore.

And while there were plenty of Johnny Unitas #19 Colts jerseys being worn by Ravens fans on Sunday, how about those folks who were wearing #18 Peyton Manning blue and white Colts jerseys? Or a Joseph Addai #29 jersey or a #87 Reggie Wayne jersey.

Most of the fans I ran into in the stadium lots during the tailgate who were wearing their Colts' blue and white were getting along with the purple and black wearing Ravens fans they were alongside.

That's because many of those folks in Colts jerseys were Ravens fans who were honoring the memory of the Baltimore Colts and not supporting the Indianapolis Colts.

A little good natured fun between Ravens and Indy fans.

That said, there were plenty of Indianapolis Colts fans wandering around M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.

But unlike many, lets say Steelers fans, the Indy Colts fans seemed to be very respectful to the whole Colts dynamic here in Baltimore.

There were also many Ravens fans who wanted it to be known what they thought of what happened more than a quarter of a century ago here in Baltimore. The night the Colts moved out of town under the veil of darkness in those Mayflower vans.

I think WBAL's Qadry Ismail put it best on the on WBAL and 98 Rock as he looked out over the crowd in M&T Bank Stadium in the final minutes of the game on Sunday.

"I think the fans want the Mayflower trucks to pack up and send them back out to Indy," said Q to his WBAL Ravens broadcasting partner Gerry Sandusky.

Like hundreds of thousands of Baltimoreans who remember the Colts departure from this town, Gerry couldn't have agreed more with Qadry.

"Many, many people would share that sentiment Q," added Gerry. "One of the indelible sports memories in Baltimore history, the exodus of the Colts."

But then, as he often does, the Voice of the Ravens summed it all up in a few very choice words.

"But this day from the start has been about the future and not the past and for the Ravens they want it to be a future that includes home field advantage for the post season and today another step in that direction."

Well said Gerry!

I know upwards of 70,000 fans at M&T Bank Stadium and countless fans across the Baltimore-area who would agree.